Ex-authority head pleads to diversion of services

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—The former head of a northeastern Pennsylvania water and sewer authority has pleaded guilty to a felony count of diversion of services.

Sixty-four-year-old Fred DeSanto of Pittston, the former executive director of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, entered the plea Thursday in Luzerne County Court.

Prosecutors accused him of using $30,000 in authority resources for his personal projects. The phrase "to his own benefit" was stricken from the plea Thursday after prosecution and defense agreed that community groups benefited rather than DeSanto himself.

Prosecutors said DeSanto will be able to apply for admission to the county's Intermediate Punishment Program before he is sentenced April 24.